Surging Dungourney attach silver symbol to their continuing surge
Winning captain Pa Cullinane, Dungourney with his dad Paddy after Saturday's Co-Op Superstores Cork JBHC final win over Newtownshandrum at Pairc Ui Rinn. Picture: Larry Cummins
WINNING Cork's Co-Op Superstores Cork junior B hurling championship final at Páirc Uí Rinn is an affirmation of Dungourney’s continued progress.
Mind you, they didn’t get matters their own way, needing Fionn Daly to slot an outstanding 54th minute penalty after Cormac Griffin was fouled, and a Conor Sweeney goal in stoppage time to extend the winning margin to six in a high-standard final.
In their first year in charge, joint manager Séan Hegarty (along with Dave Hennessy) said the East-Cork club is enjoying the fruits of its labour.
“We are a club on a big rise, playing wise and facilities wise. We’ve gyms and indoor ball alleys, we have a massive club. The work that is going into the club is ridiculous. We got new lights this year that cost unbelievable money. Today is testament to all that. The groundwork is being put in and we are reaping the rewards,” Hegarty remarked.
Griffin’s 12th minute overhead strike - the ball delivered by Daly - had them in front, it allowed them to lead at the interval, 1-9 to 0-7.
Colin Murphy’s 40th minute goal put them seven clear - Daly again involved.
But there was still plenty of time for Newtownshandrum to stage a comeback after Pádraig Noonan powered home a fantastic goal 10 minutes later.
The North Cork side looked in good shape when Cathal Bowles pointed, and this was followed by one from Seán McCarthy to make it a one-score match, 2-12 to 1-14.
The second teams from both clubs were giving their all. But there was no sign of Dungourney giving up the fight, and in a tense finish James Ahern landed his eighth point before Daly and Sweeney grabbed those two late goals.
Proud joint-captains Pa Cullinane and Warren McCarthy went up the steps to collect the Dan Hoare Cup.
Hegarty hailed the input of the younger players, who raised green flags at vital times.
“Newtown are a good side, they came at us fairly strong.
“We had been getting a few goals all year. We have some very good young fellas - Cormac Griffin and Colin Murphy. And we knew Fionn Daly was a good penalty-taker, he is a very good Harty hurler with the CBS (Midleton).
"We have a lot of guys who played intermediate and then some good young fellas.”
Their season is not over yet, and a chance of more silverware. This, after their first team reached the Premier IHC semi-final.
“We are playing Bishopstown in the U21B in the quarter-final. There are four or five of this team that will be playing again.”
J Ahern (0-8, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), F Daly (1-3, 1-0 pen), C Sweeney (1-1), C Murphy and C Griffin (1-0 each), C Flynn (0-1).
P Noonan (1-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), S Griffin (frees) and M Thompson (0-3 each), C Bowles, J Twomey and S McCarthy (0-2 each).
: B Ahearne; S Rohan, C Padden, C Morgan; S Geaney, W McCarthy (J-Capt), N Flynn; C Ryan, D McGrath; C Sweeney, C Murphy, F Daly; C Flynn, J Ahern, C Griffin.
: P Cullinane (J-Capt) for C Flynn (59), F Fives for C Murphy (62).
: PJ Noonan; E Sheedy, J Herlihy (J-Capt), S Young; K Coughlan, D Lane, T Buckley; J Hogan, C Bowles; J Twomey, P Noonan (J-Capt), C Quinn; S Griffin, M Thompson, S McCarthy.
: C Naughton for C Quinn (36), P Twohill for K Coughlan (45), M Maguire for S Griffin (56).
: Niall Hayes (Blarney).
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